Key Differences Table Between Advance and Total Comfort
| Features/Aspect | Similac Advance | Similac Total Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal For | Babies without sensitivities to cow’s milk protein and lactose intolerance | Babies with sensitivities to cow’s milk protein or lactose intolerance |
| Type | Standard milk-based formula | Partially hydrolyzed protein formula for sensitive tummies |
| Primary Protein Source | Nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate | Partially hydrolyzed whey protein |
| Carbohydrate Source | Lactose | Corn maltodextrin and sucrose |
| Fats and Oils | High oleic sunflower oil, soy oil, coconut oil | High oleic safflower oil, soy oil, coconut oil |
| Nutritional Support | Complete nutrition with prebiotic galactooligosaccharides | OptiGRO blend (DHA, Lutein, Vitamin E) for brain, eye, and immunity support |
| Digestive Health | Galactooligosaccharides for gut health, without palm olein for better calcium absorption | Prebiotics for softer stools, partially hydrolyzed protein for easier digestion |
| Prebiotics | Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) | Short-chain fructooligosaccharides |
| Specific Benefits | Supports brain and eye development, no palm olein for better calcium absorption | Tailored for babies with sensitive tummies, easier on digestion, non-GMO |
In this article, we will compare two popular Similac Formulas: Similac Advance vs Similac Total Comfort.
We will analyze their ingredients and nutritional compositions to help you make the best decision for your baby.
Let’s get after it!
Related read: Similac Advance vs Similac 360 Total Care
Our Short Answer
The choice between Advance and Total Comfort will depend solely on your baby’s needs.
Choose Similac Advance if your baby:
- Does not have sensitivities to cow’s milk protein.
- Is not lactose intolerant
In short, Similac Advance is a standard formula for babies without digestive problems.
Choose Similac Total Comfort if your baby:
- Has sensitivities (not allergy – CMPA) to cow’s milk protein.
- Is lactose intolerant
If you are going to start offering formula now, and you don’t know if your baby has any special digestive needs, it’s best to start with Advance, and if you notice any discomfort, you can try switching to Total Comfort.
That said, we recommend you explore the alternatives mentioned below.
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Overview of the Two Formulas
Similac Advance offers complete nutrition with nonfat milk and lactose, high oleic sunflower oil, soy and coconut oils, and galactooligosaccharides for gut health, without palm olein for better calcium absorption.
Similac Total Comfort, for sensitive tummies, features partially hydrolyzed whey protein, corn maltodextrin, and prebiotics, with an OptiGRO blend for brain, eye, and immunity support.
Similac Advance
Similac Advance is designed as a complete nutritional source for infants’ first year of life and features a blend exclusively aimed at supporting brain and eye development. Its primary ingredients include nonfat milk and lactose, indicating its foundation in cow’s milk.
The inclusion of high oleic sunflower oil, soy oil, and coconut oil ensures an array of necessary fats. Notably, it contains galactooligosaccharides, a prebiotic fiber similar to those found naturally in breast milk, fostering gut health.
The formula also capitalizes on an optimized fat-protein blend without palm olein oil to promote better calcium absorption – which is crucial for developing robust bones.
Similac Total Comfort
Similac Total Comfort takes a different approach. It caters specifically to infants with sensitive tummies or those who show signs of lactose intolerance. The primary protein source in this formula comes from partially hydrolyzed whey protein – proteins broken down into smaller pieces for easier digestion. Corn maltodextrin and sugar are its carb sources.
Total Comfort is also enriched with prebiotics like short-chain fructooligosaccharides to facilitate softer stools—an essential factor for babies prone to fussiness due to gas or constipation. Plus, with high oleic safflower oil joining forces with soy and coconut oils, your infant will receive essential fatty acids vital for growth.
The blend includes an OptiGRO mix (DHA, Lutein, and Vitamin E), targeting critical areas of development such as brain health, eye function, and immunity support—aligning well for babies requiring tailored nutritional consideration.
Nutritional Composition
Similac Advance uses nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate, suitable for most infants, while Total Comfort has partially hydrolyzed whey protein, easier for those with sensitive systems.
Advance features lactose as its carbohydrate, mimicking breast milk, whereas Total Comfort uses corn maltodextrin and added sucrose for lactose sensitivities.
In fats, Advance contains high oleic sunflower oil, while Total Comfort uses high oleic safflower oil, both providing essential fatty acids for development.
Protein Content
Similac Advance: The protein in Similac Advance is sourced from nonfat milk and whey protein concentrate, reflecting a composition similar to that found in breast milk. Whey protein is a complete protein containing all essential amino acids and is easily digestible for infants.
Similac Total Comfort: Similac Total Comfort uses partially hydrolyzed whey protein. The ‘hydrolyzed’ aspect means these proteins are broken down into smaller pieces, which can be easier on sensitive or immature digestive systems. For babies who experience gas, colic, or mild lactose intolerance, the gentle nature of hydrolyzed protein can make a significant difference in their comfort and digestion.
The formulas have a very different protein approach because they are designed for different needs. Advance uses skimmed milk and whey protein concentrate, the standard in conventional formulas.
Total Comfort however, uses partially hydrolyzed protein, which makes it suitable for babies who have problems digesting cow’s milk protein (but don’t have severe allergies).
Learn more: Partially vs Extensively hydrolyzed formulas
Carbohydrate Content
Similac Advance: The main carbohydrate source in Similac Advance is lactose, the primary carb found in breast milk. Lactose is great for supporting energy needs and contributes to healthy gut flora. Its presence signifies an attempt to stay close to what mother nature intended for most infants unless there is an issue with lactose intolerance.
Similac Total Comfort: Similac Total Comfort utilizes corn maltodextrin and sucrose (sugar) as its carbohydrate sources. This shift is part of the formula’s strategy to lessen digestive strain for babies with lactose sensitivity. Maltodextrin is a quickly metabolized polysaccharide and can be easier on the stomach while still fulfilling those vital energy requirements.
Same as with protein, the carb content approach differs between both formulas. Advance uses lactose exclusively, which is that we expect from a conventional formula”.
Total Comfort mainly uses maltodextrin, a better alternative to lactose than corn syrup solids. What we do not like is the fact that it adds extra sucrose to make it sweeter, most likely, but it’s not needed.
Fats and Oils
The types of fats included in infant formula play a critical role in brain development, energy supply, and nutrient absorption. Both formulas feature a mix of vegetable oils but vary slightly in composition.
Similac Advance:
- High Oleic Sunflower Oil
- Soy Oil
- Coconut Oil
This combination of oils supplies crucial fatty acids like omega-3s (DHA) and omega-6s (ARA) from Schizochytrium sp. oil and M. alpina oil, respectively. These unsaturated fats are invaluable for visual acuity and cognitive function—areas where early investment pays dividends in overall development.
Similac Total Comfort:
- High Oleic Safflower Oil
- Soy Oil
- Coconut Oil
The only difference in fat content is that Total Comfort uses Safflower oil (more monounsaturated fatty acids) instead of Sunflower (more polyunsaturated fatty acids). One is not better than the other, as there should be a balance between both.
Considering that soy oil has more polyunsaturated fatty acids, Total Comfort would have a more balanced fat blend than advance.
Prebiotics and Probiotics
The health of your baby’s gut microbiome is crucial for digestion, overall well-being, and immune system strength. This is where probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (food for these beneficial bacteria) step in.
Both Similac Advance and Total Comfort include prebiotic ingredients that help support gut flora balance.
Similac Advance has galactooligosaccharides—or GOS—a prebiotic to encourage the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, aiding in digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Similac Total Comfort contains prebiotics such as short-chain fructooligosaccharides to promote softer stools and ease digestion.
Let’s not forget that while not all formulas contain probiotics (live beneficial bacteria), their presence can be a game-changer for some infants, especially those struggling with frequent stomach troubles. If you’re interested in introducing probiotics to your infant’s diet, it’s always advisable to consult with your pediatrician. They can guide you in choosing a formula with added probiotics or supplementing them separately.
What are the Best Alternatives to Similac Advance and Total Comfort?
Even though Similac formulas have great reputation, there are better infant formula brands out there that are better nutritionally speaking. Here you have our favorite alternatives to both formulas.
For Similac Advance:
- Kendamil: Our top suggestion would be Kendamil formula. I stands out by using full cream whole milk, which provides a more natural fat composition, including Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM) – a compound known for its role in brain development. *Read: Kendamil vs Similac
- Bobbie: As our top pick from the US brands, Bobbie offers an Organic Infant Formula distinguished by high-quality, pure ingredients and simplicity in formulation designed to be gentle for babies. *Read: Bobbie vs Similac
For Similac Total Comfort:
- Hipp Comfort: If lactose sensitivity is on your radar, consider Hipp Comfort. This formula includes both pre- and probiotics making it a great alternative by continuing to support gut health via both avenues.
- Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease: From Enfamil’s lineup, the NeuroPro Gentlease can serve as another substitute. It features easy-to-digest proteins similarly tailored for sensitive tummies, alongside MFGM for additional brain support. *Read: Enfamil Neuropro Gentlease vs Total Comfort
Last Words
We hope this comparison between Similac Advance and Similac Total Comfort helps you make the best decision for your baby.
If you have further questions don’t hesitate to comment or contact us and we’ll be happy to help you.
Happy feeding!
We’re Maria and Alberto, a married couple and educators who are nutrition enthusiasts. Even before we had kids, we were already crazy about nutrition.
We’d read scientific articles, watch videos from nutritionists, and spend hours listening to nutrition podcasts.
Today, we continue doing this, but in a different way, as we’ve learned to sift through the noise and trends. Nutrition, like any other field of knowledge, the more you read and learn, the more you develop a comprehensive understanding of reality, and that’s what has happened to us.
Before having our first child, we focused on learning everything we could about child nutrition, using the same techniques we had already employed, backed by our extensive knowledge in nutrition.
Our mission is to help other parents with their children’s nutrition, to help them become the best versions of themselves.
If we are what we eat and drink, which is absolutely true, let’s do it right!
